A new report suggests that Anna Wintour has picked a side when it comes to the rumoured rift between Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle.
The former Vogue editor-in-chief, 76, who is in charge of overseeing the annual Met Gala as lead chairperson, has allegedly put the Duchess of Sussex, 44, on her banned list.
According to Woman’s Day, Markle’s decision to work with former British Vogue editor Edward Enninful in 2019 on the “Forces of Change” September issue crossed a line, seemingly cementing her place in Wintour’s bad books.
“Anna never has to say a word about who’s in favour and who’s not, but her staffers gave up pitching Duchess Meghan profiles a long time ago,” an insider told the publication.
In contrast, Markle’s sister-in-law has seemingly made a positive impression on the global chief content officer.
Wintour was reportedly desperate for the Princess of Wales, 44, to attend not only this year’s event, but last year’s too, personally reaching out to the royal in the hopes of having her at the charity fundraiser.
“She knows it’s unlikely, but every year Kate’s top of her wishlist to co-chair,” the well-placed source told Woman’s Day.
Gossip columnist Rob Shuter echoed the claim, with a source allegedly telling him: “Kate is the one celebrity Anna wants and cannot get.”
“That is the obsession,” they added.
Wintour’s hopes of having Kate grace the Met Gala carpet evokes an excitement similar to that of her late mother-in-law Princess Diana, who attended the 1996 ball wearing a Dior slip dress and a seven-strand pearl and sapphire choker, which Kate inherited after marrying Prince William.
Despite the royal nostalgia, Wintour is said to have wanted Kate in attendance not because of Diana, but because she is “the ultimate prize” and would steal the spotlight.
According to Shuter, it’s not just a busy schedule that stopped the Princess of Wales from attending fashion’s biggest night, but also a matter of principle.
“This was not simply an invitation. It was an attempt to make her the defining image of the night — and she had no interest in playing that role,” a source told him.
“She was never going to turn herself — or Diana — into a Met Gala moment.”
There have long been rumours of a rift between Markle and Middleton.
In the lead-up to the Sussexes’ wedding in 2018, word spread that Markle made Kate cry during a fitting for Princess Charlotte’s bridesmaid dress.
However, Markle shut down the rumour in her 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, saying “the reverse happened” and that Middleton had, in fact, apologised after making her cry, buying flowers to make it up to her.
Tensions reportedly rose again when Markle made an off-the-cuff remark about Middleton having “baby brain” during her pregnancy with Prince Louis, a comment that is said to have offended the Princess of Wales.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.skynews.com.au ’
